Pocono News Section

Man Pleads Guilty in Deadly Stabbing Case

Man Pleads Guilty in Deadly Stabbing Case - Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 5:30PM EST

LEHIGHGTON, CARBON COUNTY- A Carbon County man has admitted his guilt in connection with a deadly stabbing three years ago. Michael Mokshefski accepted a plea deal Tuesday morning, admitting to voluntary manslaughter. He was originally charged with first degree murder.
It’s been exactly three years to the day that prosecutors say Michael Mokshefski killed his friend. Tuesday, the 49-year-old took responsibility for the crime in Carbon County Court.

Melinda Mokshefski is the suspect's daughter. She was there to see her father plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. “For me, it was really difficult because I haven't seen my father in a long time… He was never a violent person. He's a very caring person and I hope people realize that," she said.

Michael Mokshefski admitted to stabbing 42-year-old George McClure outside McClure's parents home on Alum Street in Lehighton in 2006. Prosecutors say it was over losing his girlfriend.

Lori Christman is another one of Mokshefski's daughters. She didn't want her father to enter a plea. She wanted him to go to trial. “It’s just hard because everybody thinks he's a monster and he really isn't… My dad's very thick-headed. You can't coerce him into anything. I think he's doing what people want him to do,"

As of right now, a sentencing day for Michael Mokshefski has not been set. When he is sentenced, he will face between 5-and-20 years in prison.

No matter the outcome, Mokshefski's daughters say two families will never be the same. “He knows what he did was wrong and he pays for it every single day," said Melinda.

“You can't bring back a life and my father has to live with that for the rest of his life," added Lori.

This case was only the second murder in Lehighton in the last 25 years. Mokshefski says he stabbed McClure only after he was attacked.